Pack and Go Rate Shortcomings

[esmith1500]

About a month ago I booked a pack and go rate for a cruise on the Conquest. The sailing date is not until December. A couple of weeks ago while checking the weekly pack and go rates I noticed that the same cruise was listed but the price was $60 cheaper ( $30 decrease per person). I called my PVP and asked if OBC could be given since the cruise was already paid in full and was told that was not possible. Again today this same cruise is listed on this weeks pack and go and again the price is $60 cheaper than when I booked. When I booked the cruise I thought the pack and go rate was the rock bottom price for that sailing and certainly didn't expect it to show up again at an even lower price.

 

Does anyone else agree that Carnival should give OBC when these pack and go rates drop and especially if the cruise is not exactly last minute but scheduled several months away?

[DEBnGAB]

PnG had been touted as being "last minute specials" so you'd think it was "rock bottom" clearance sale...but I just got a list of PnG with cruises all the way out til Jan 2012!

 

 

Perhaps they should add a threshold of OBC, but I doubt that will ever happen even if it pops back up on PnG again!

 

Personally, I wouldnt book a PnG until I knew final payment had passed...

[firefly333]

Well thanks for the warning. I do know that pack n go rates are totally non refundable. Im not surprised. There is no guarantee that you can price match after final payment unless you book ES rate. Thats the bottom line.

[klfrodo]

Does anyone else agree that Carnival should give OBC when these pack and go rates drop and especially if the cruise is not exactly last minute but scheduled several months away?

 

Nope,,,, Don't agree. I'm sure you read the terms and conditions when you bought the Pack and Go rate and agreed to them.

If the price was higher now, would you agree that the cruise line has the right to charge you the extra amount? Didn't think so.

[firefly333]

OP I would be dissapointed too, try and find a cheap way to upgrade if prices are down? go for that. turn it so it works for you if you can.

[BeccaBecca1713]

The terms and conditions you agreed to:

 

Pack & Go:

Cruise rates are in US dollars, per person, based on double occupancy, capacity controlled and subject to change at any time without prior notice. Government taxes and fees are from $21.46 to $102.16 additional for each guest based on itinerary. Full payment is required at the time of booking for all guests to secure confirmed accommodations. The full payment is non-refundable and non-transferable. Offer is not combinable with any other discounted or promotional offer. Rates are capacity controlled and subject to change without prior notice. No name changes allowed. Offer is applicable in guarantee categories IS/OV/BL only. Carnival will assign the stateroom at a later time. Some restrictions (including stateroom/category availability) apply. Request fare code PUB. Ship's Registry: The Bahamas & Panama.

 

 

Only Early Saver rate allows for OBC after pay in full.......sorry

[firefly333]

The terms and conditions you agreed to:

 

Pack & Go:

Cruise rates are in US dollars, per person, based on double occupancy, capacity controlled and subject to change at any time without prior notice. Government taxes and fees are from $21.46 to $102.16 additional for each guest based on itinerary. Full payment is required at the time of booking for all guests to secure confirmed accommodations. The full payment is non-refundable and non-transferable. Offer is not combinable with any other discounted or promotional offer. Rates are capacity controlled and subject to change without prior notice. No name changes allowed. Offer is applicable in guarantee categories IS/OV/BL only. Carnival will assign the stateroom at a later time. Some restrictions (including stateroom/category availability) apply. Request fare code PUB. Ship's Registry: The Bahamas & Panama.

 

 

Only Early Saver rate allows for OBC after pay in full.......sorry

 

My friend who posted here warning people got hit with the no name changes with pack n go rates... people know this about ES but dont know it about pack n go rates.

[bplazo]

I am suprised that you can book a pack and go rate that far away. I would think that it would be after final payment and maybe a week or two before the cruise.

[DEBnGAB]

I am suprised that you can book a pack and go rate that far away. I would think that it would be after final payment and maybe a week or two before the cruise.

 

Same here. These were on my PnG email this week....4 months out!

 

 

Carnival Dream

 

 

7

 

 

MCO

 

 

1/7/2012

 

 

Exotic Western Caribbean

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

 

$739

 

 

Carnival Dream

 

 

7

 

 

MCO

 

 

1/21/2012

 

 

Exotic Western Caribbean

 

 

$479

 

 

$609

 

 

$729

 

 

Carnival Dream

 

 

7

 

 

MCO

 

 

1/28/2012

 

 

Eastern Caribbean

 

 

$509

 

 

N/A

 

 

$899

[rainbowflag]

Carnival's Marketing team should name this rate for what it is: Pay Now and Wait Forever :mad: Pack and Go...what a crock!

[bplazo]

Carnival's Marketing team should name this rate for what it is: Pay Now and Wait Forever :mad: Pack and Go...what a crock!

 

I like it.

[tiyana4]

Pack and Go seems more restrictive than ES considering that in addition to all the things mentioned here, you don't get to pick your cabin either.

[scchasgal]

Pack and Go seems more restrictive than ES considering that in addition to all the things mentioned here, you don't get to pick your cabin either.

 

And no price drops or name changes either. Sounds like their sales department expect to have "x" numbers of cabins sold by a specific date which is why the PNG's are coming out so early.

[pink roses]

Why call it Pack and Go then? Thanks for the heads up.

Yes, I think you should get an OBC

[BeccaBecca1713]

Why call it Pack and Go then? Thanks for the heads up.

Yes, I think you should get an OBC

 

I agree PNG's this early are ridiculous but, unfortunately, he/she won't get OBC. It's spelled out in the contract. It seems to be Carnival's way of getting a few suckers to take the bait, then not have to worry about giving up any of the money when they decide to drop the rates. I think PNGs should only be utilized no more than a month out. That way, everyone has already hit final payment and, unless your ES, it's kind of a more even playing field.

[firefly333]

I agree PNG's this early are ridiculous but, unfortunately, he/she won't get OBC. It's spelled out in the contract. It seems to be Carnival's way of getting a few suckers to take the bait, then not have to worry about giving up any of the money when they decide to drop the rates. I think PNGs should only be utilized no more than a month out. That way, everyone has already hit final payment and, unless your ES, it's kind of a more even playing field.

 

Im for all the pack n goes they want to publish... more, more. I dont see why people think the term pack n go should equal, get the lowest price.

 

Would you want to limit how far out they offer other rates to fill the ship like senior rates .. I dont get why people want to change the pack n go terms. Its been said here so often, .. only ES gives you price drops after final payment. .. and if you book pack n go .. it says you pay in full at the time of booking.

 

I would rather people not book this if they dont agree to the terms, than tell everyone else how far out these can be booked. I dont like lots of the pack n go rates .. so if I feel they are too high, I just wouldnt book, but not because they are offered before or after final payment, that wouldnt be a consideration.

[BeccaBecca1713]

Im for all the pack n goes they want to publish... more, more. I dont see why people think the term pack n go should equal, get the lowest price.

 

Would you want to limit how far out they offer other rates to fill the ship like senior rates .. I dont get why people want to change the pack n go terms. Its been said here so often, .. only ES gives you price drops after final payment. .. and if you book pack n go .. it says you pay in full at the time of booking.

 

I would rather people not book this if they dont agree to the terms, than tell everyone else how far out these can be booked. I dont like lots of the pack n go rates .. so if I feel they are too high, I just wouldnt book, but not because they are offered before or after final payment, that wouldnt be a consideration.

 

Don't get me wrong, they can put any kinda rate out they want, whenever they want. I just suggested that the crybabies who take it early then get mad cause it goes lower and they are SOL, to wait until closer to sailing so they don't develop the "that's not fair!" attitude.

[okwriter]

A bit off topic, but anyone who qualifies for the Casino VIP rate should really book with that fare code. You can cancel, add or subtract people, change cabins---all kinds of things until final payment. And it's cheap cheap cheap fares! :)

[luvmysox1]

What about booking a residential rate? It would let me book without being from a port state. I personally don't get that. Seems misleading. Do they check if you live in the area?

[joepeka]

A bit off topic, but anyone who qualifies for the Casino VIP rate should really book with that fare code. You can cancel, add or subtract people, change cabins---all kinds of things until final payment. And it's cheap cheap cheap fares! :)

That's a new one on me - can you give more info on that fare rate, like requirements, qualifications, etc.?

[klfrodo]

What about booking a residential rate? It would let me book without being from a port state. I personally don't get that. Seems misleading. Do they check if you live in the area?

 

Yes, they will. When you check in. Not from that State? Hand over the credit card to pay the higher fare, or go home.

[mrmrscheese]

What about booking a residential rate? It would let me book without being from a port state. I personally don't get that. Seems misleading. Do they check if you live in the area?

 

This is the message I got when booking for Miami Port

 

 

 

Disclaimers:

 

Offer available to FLORIDA and GEORGIA residents only, on select Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral ships and sailings. Proof of residency required.

[firefly333]

That's a new one on me - can you give more info on that fare rate, like requirements, qualifications, etc.?

 

Iv read of someone booking a rate they didnt qualify for, and then being upset on CC that they were charged extra to board. One youngish couple had booked the senior rate who wasnt over 30. .. blamed the TA who said it was ok. People used to do this kind of thing more than you hear about now.

[joepeka]

Iv read of someone booking a rate they didnt qualify for, and then being upset on CC that they were charged extra to board. One youngish couple had booked the senior rate who wasnt over 30. .. blamed the TA who said it was ok. People used to do this kind of thing more than you hear about now.

Thanks Fire.... people do need to be aware of the requirements of a rate before attempting to book them, that's for sure. But what I was asking about specifically was the Casino VIP rate that okwriter mentioned - I've never heard of that one, have you??

[BeccaBecca1713]

What about booking a residential rate? It would let me book without being from a port state. I personally don't get that. Seems misleading. Do they check if you live in the area?

 

 

Resident Rates are not just for states with ports. When you check fareviewer, you put in your home state. Sometimes, even if you are landlocked out in the mid-west, they'll have a temp resident rate special for that particular state.

 

I'm in NC and I upgraded due to a good resident rate for my state. When I called Carnival, they just double-checked my address on the booking and all was good.